Cleaning apparatus for the base of a toilet

ABSTRACT

There is provided a cleaning apparatus for the base of a toilet. The apparatus includes an inner peripheral portion for extending at least partially around the base of the toilet. The apparatus includes an outer peripheral portion spaced-apart from the inner peripheral portion. The apparatus includes an arcuate-shaped top portion extending from the inner peripheral portion to the outer peripheral portion. According to another aspect, there is provided a cleaning apparatus for the base of a toilet. The apparatus includes an absorbent member that is biased upwards and which may be selectively lowered to abut a location adjacent to the base of the toilet for absorbing fluid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

There is provided an improved cleaning apparatus. In particular, thereis provided a cleaning apparatus for the base of a toilet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,658 to Jenkins provides a system comprises adisposable pad having a plurality of layers, and means for retaining thedisposable pad either upon the upper surface of a permanent base ordirectly onto the floor. The permanent base is positioned upon the floorand the base has an upper surface that is generally horizontal. Thedisposable pad includes a layer of absorbent material, and a coatinglayer of waterproof material. The pad is flame retardant andbiodegradable. The system is useful for keeping the floor dry and in asanitary condition. The undersurface of the disposable pad includes twobores for cooperative engagement with two projections extending upwardlyand affixed to the floor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,656 to Creamer provides a disposable, absorbent padadapted to be formed into a u-shaped configuration and to be placed atleast partially about the base of a toilet to absorb moisturegravitating near such base. The pad is adjustable and can be providedwith a water-proof backing as well as means for adhesively bonding thesame to the floor. Several embodiments of the pad are disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,075 to Nelson provides a mat adapted to be placed onthe floor around the base of a commode or urinal. The mat is shaped tomatch the contours of the facility. A mat cover is provided formed fromplastic or rubber-like material having a solid base and a hingedlyattached cover formed as grille work. A replaceable pad is contained inthe mat cover and has an impervious plastic film base with layers ofabsorbent material overlaying the base, and a top permeable film ofnon-woven material. The top film is sealed around its edges to the edgesof the base film. When installed, urine falling on the grille work ofthe mat passes therethrough, through the permeable top film and isabsorbed by the layers of absorbent material. The absorbent material maybe impregnated with disinfectant and deodorizing chemicals. At suitableintervals, the mat cover is opened, the used pad removed and disposedof, the mat cover rinsed off, and a fresh pad is installed.

United States Patent Publication No. 2009/0077728 to Stickler et al.provides a mat designed to fit under the toilet bowl area. The mat mayinhibit unwanted urine from soiling the area surrounding the toilet bowlwhile giving its user non-skid protection. The base of the mat forms au-shape around the toilet bowl and the center top region of the plasticmat unit contains a disposable absorbent pad. There is provided a methodof joining two types of material together comprising of a rigiddisposable absorbent pad and a multi-suction non-skid plastic mat.

While the above systems may function to absorb bodily fluid around thebase of the toilet to varying degrees of effectiveness, there may stillremain a need for an improved cleaning apparatus therefor which mayfunction to absorb bodily fluid, clean the floor adjacent to the base ofthe toilet and air out the underlying floor thereafter.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is accordingly provided a cleaning apparatus for the base of atoilet. The apparatus includes an inner peripheral portion for extendingat least partially around the base of the toilet. The apparatus has anouter peripheral portion spaced-apart from the inner peripheral portion.The apparatus also includes an arcuate-shaped top portion extending fromthe inner peripheral portion to the outer peripheral portion.

According to another aspect, there is provided a cleaning apparatus forthe base of a toilet. The apparatus includes an absorbent member that isbiased upwards and which may be selectively lowered to abut a locationadjacent to the base of the toilet for absorbing fluid.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a cleaning apparatusfor the base of a toilet. The apparatus has a pair of spaced-apart,elongate side members. The apparatus has an arcuate-shaped front memberconnecting the side members together. The apparatus has an absorbentmember connected to the front member. The apparatus has a pair ofdownwardly-extending protrusions interposed between the side members andthe front member. The side members are shaped to bias the absorbentmember upwards. Applying force to the front member causes the absorbentmember to selectively lower downwards for absorbing fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet and a cleaning apparatustherefor according to one aspect;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2, with theapparatus being partially shown in fragment;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1, therearward region of the apparatus biasing the front region of theapparatus upwards;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 anda person's foot shown biasing the front region of the apparatusdownwards;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a cleaning apparatus for the base of atoilet, the cleaning apparatus being according to a second aspect;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a cleaning apparatus for the base ofa toilet, the cleaning apparatus being according to a third aspect;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a toilet and a cleaning apparatustherefor according to a fourth aspect;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the cleaning apparatus taken along lines12-12 of FIG. 11, the apparatus being in a raised mode; and

FIG. 13 is a section view similar to FIG. 12, the apparatus being in alowered mode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is shown a toilet20 having a base 22. The base of the toilet has a pair of spaced-apartsides 24 and 26, a rear 27, and a front 28 which is spaced-apart fromthe rear, the rear and the front extending between the sides. Thetoilet, including its various parts and functionings, is conventionaland well-known to those skilled in the art. It will therefore not bedescribed in further detail.

There is further provided a cleaning apparatus 30 for the base 22 of thetoilet 20. The cleaning apparatus is generally u-shaped in profile inthis example as best seen in FIG. 2 and is shaped to extend around thesides 24 and 26 and front 28 of the base of the toilet.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the cleaning apparatus 30 includes an innerperipheral portion 32 for extending at least partially around the baseof the toilet, in this example around the sides 24 and 26 and front 28of the base of the toilet seen in FIG. 1. The inner peripheral portionof the apparatus is u-shaped in this example. The cleaning apparatus 30includes an outer peripheral portion 34 which is spaced-apart from theinner peripheral portion 32. The outer peripheral portion is alsou-shaped in this example.

The cleaning apparatus further includes a top portion 36 extending frominner peripheral portion 32 to outer peripheral portion 34 as seen inFIG. 2. The top portion is arcuate-shaped in this example, as seen inFIGS. 4 and 5. The cleaning apparatus 30 includes an interior profile38, seen in FIGS. 3 to 5, positioned between the inner peripheralportion 32, the outer peripheral portion 34 and the top portion 36 ofthe apparatus.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the cleaning apparatus 30 includes a pair ofspaced-apart, elongate side members 40 and 42 which extend along andadjacent to the sides 24 and 26, respectively, of the base 22 of thetoilet 20 when in use. The side members of the cleaning apparatus extendfrom the inner peripheral portion 32 to the outer peripheral portion 34of the apparatus from adjacent to the rear 27 of the base 22 of thetoilet 20 to adjacent to the front 28 thereof. The side members 40 and42 are located at a rearward region 43 of the apparatus in this example.

The cleaning apparatus 30 includes an arcuate-shaped front member 44connecting the side members 40 and 42 together. In this example, thefront member is integrally connected to and formed integrally with theside members although this is not essential. The front member 44 extendsfrom the inner peripheral portion 32 to the outer peripheral portion 34of the apparatus adjacent to the front 28 of the base 22 of the toilet20. The front member is located at a front region 45 of the apparatus.The side members 40 and 42 and the front member 44 are hollow and arearcuate-shaped in transverse cross-section as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The cleaning apparatus 30 includes a plurality of openings, in thisexample apertures 46 extending through the top portion 36 of theapparatus as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. The apertures in this example arelocated within the front member 44 at the front region 45 of theapparatus. The apertures are positioned and shaped to enable fluid, suchas bodily fluid, contacting the top portion 36 of the apparatus to passtherethrough and into the interior 38 of the apparatus 30.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the cleaning apparatus includes a replaceableabsorbent member 48. The absorbent member has a top 50 that isarcuate-shaped in cross-section in this example, as seen in FIG. 5. Theabsorbent member is generally in the shape of a curved, rectangularprism in this example. However, this is not strictly required and theabsorbent member 48 may be provided in other shapes, in otherembodiments. The absorbent member is positioned within the interior 38for selectively absorbing fluid, such as bodily fluid 49 seen in FIG. 7.

The absorbent member in this example is interposed between the innerperipheral portion 32 and outer peripheral portion 34 of the apparatuswithin the front region 45 of the apparatus. The absorbent member 48 ispositioned at and is a part of the front region of the apparatus in thisexample. The absorbent member is operatively connected to the frontmember 44 and, in this example, is coupled to top portion 36 of theapparatus 30, as seen in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, the apparatus 30 includes a plurality ofbristles 52 connected to and extending downwards from the innerperipheral portion 32 of the apparatus. The apparatus includes in thisexample a plurality of bristles 54 connected to and extending outwardsfrom the outer peripheral portion 34 of the apparatus. The bristles 52and 54 are located with the front region 45 of the apparatus in thisexample and are aligned in elongate rows in this example. The bristlesare adjacent to the absorbent member 48 for selectively scrubbingregions of floor 57 adjacent to the base 22 of the toilet 20 seen inFIG. 1.

The apparatus 30 includes a biasing assembly 55, in this example in theform of two pairs of downwardly-extending protrusions interposed betweenthe side members 40 and 42 and the front member 44 of the apparatus, asshown by protrusions 56 and 58 interposed between side member 40 andfront member 44 in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. The protrusion 56 has a frontportion that is semi arcuate shaped in profile. The protrusion 56further has a rear portion which is tapered and extends downwards in amore gradual manner relative to the front portion. Each of the pairs ofprotrusions is outwardly arcuate-shaped in this example and extends frominner and outer peripheral portions of the apparatus, respectfully, asseen by protrusion 56 extending from outer peripheral portion 34 inFIG. 1. The protrusions are configured to abut the floor 57 and rearwardregion 43 and front region 45 to allow the apparatus to pivot about theprotrusions, enabling the front region to pivot upwards and downwards,as seen by arrow 59 in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 7, the rearward region 43 of the apparatus, in thisexample side members 40, is configured to bias the front region 45, andthus absorbent member 48, upwards. This is because the rearward region43 is larger and heavier than front region 45. Applying sufficient forceto the front member 44, by way of a user's foot 60, for example, causesthe absorbent member to selectively lower downwards for absorbing fluid49 seen in FIG. 7. The downward force is shown by arrow 62 in FIG. 8,which shows the absorbent member in its lowered mode. Bristles 54 mayselectively abut and scrub the floor 57 in this manner. The absorbentmember 48 thus may be selectively lowered to abut a location 64 adjacentto the base 22 of the toilet 20, seen in FIG. 1, for absorbing fluid.

FIG. 9 shows a cleaning apparatus 30.1 for the base of a toiletaccording to a second aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functionsas the cleaning apparatus 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 with the addition of“0.1”. Cleaning apparatus 30.1 is substantially the same as cleaningapparatus 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 with the exception that its openingsare in the form of slits 46.1 instead of apertures. The slits extendthrough the top portion 36.1 of the apparatus adjacent to the frontregion 45.1 of the apparatus.

FIG. 10 shows a cleaning apparatus 30.2 for the base of a toiletaccording to a third aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functionsas the cleaning apparatus 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 with the addition of“0.2”. Cleaning apparatus 30.2 is substantially the same as cleaningapparatus 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 with the exception that it furtherincludes downwards protrusions at the respective rearward ends of theside members, as shown by protrusion 66 at rearward end 68 of sidemember 40.2. The protrusion 66 is shaped to enable the apparatus to movewith a smooth forward and backward motion when the apparatus isactuated. It may include a filler material at the rear or be made of aheavier material relative to the rest of the apparatus to provide theweight distribution needed to raise the front and of the apparatus. Therearward protrusions may extend from outer peripheral portions 34.2 ofthe apparatus 30.2 and are be outwardly arcuate-shaped in this example.The rearward protrusions 66 function to stabilize the rearward region43.2 of the apparatus 30.2 and may function to add more weight to therear section of the apparatus.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a cleaning apparatus 30.3 for the base 22.3 of atoilet 20.3 according to a fourth aspect. Like parts have like numbersand functions as the cleaning apparatus 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 withthe addition of “0.3”. Cleaning apparatus 30.3 is substantially the sameas cleaning apparatus 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 with the followingexceptions.

Apparatus 30.3 includes a biasing assembly 55.3 in the form of a pair ofmale connectors 70 and 72 that abut the floor 57.3. As seen in FIG. 12,each male connector comprises an elongate portion or shaft 74 in thisexample, and an enlarged distal end portion 76 that is spherical in thisexample. The end portion is integrally formed with and is connected tothe shaft in this example.

The biasing assembly 55.3 includes a pair of female connectors for eachmale connector, as shown by female connector 78 in FIG. 12. The femaleconnectors are shaped to selectively receive the male connectors. Eachfemale connector 78 comprises a pair of resilient members that extenddownwards from the top portion 36.3 of the apparatus 30.3, as shown byresilient members 80 and 82 which bias connector 78 upwards relative toconnector 70. The resilient members align above the distal end portion76 of the male connectors 70 and 72 when the apparatus is in the upperposition shown in FIG. 12. In this position, the outer ends 84 and 86 ofthe resilient members abut adjacent to the top 88 of end portion 76.

The apparatus 30.3 is moveable from the upwardly biased position shownin FIG. 12, to a lowered position, shown in FIG. 13, when the user'sfoot abuts the front region 45.3 of the apparatus for example and asshown by arrow 62.3. As the apparatus 30.3 is lowered, the outer ends 84and 86 of the resilient members 80 and 82 are spread-apart by endportion 76 of the male connector 70. When downward force is removed thetop portion 36.3 of the apparatus 30.3, the resilient members 84 and 86,which are biased inwards, spring back towards the position of FIG. 12and cause top portion 36.3 to raise upwards relative to the maleconnector, as shown by arrow 90 in FIG. 13. In an alternativeembodiment, the male connector may extend from the top portion and thefemale connector may abut the floor.

It will be appreciated that many variations are possible within thescope of the invention described herein. It will be also understood bysomeone skilled in the art that many of the details provided above areby way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention which is to be determined with reference to at least thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning apparatus for the base of a toilet,the apparatus comprising: an inner peripheral portion for extending atleast partially around the base of the toilet; an outer peripheralportion spaced-apart from the inner peripheral portion; and anarcuate-shaped top portion extending from the inner peripheral portionto the outer peripheral portion.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein the inner and outer peripheral portions are u-shaped.
 3. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including an absorbent memberinterposed between the inner and outer peripheral portions.
 4. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including an interior positionedbetween the inner peripheral portion, the outer peripheral portion andthe top portion of the apparatus, and an absorbent member positionedwithin the interior for selectively absorbing fluid.
 5. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 further including a plurality of apertures extendingthrough the top portion of the apparatus and through which fluid maypass.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including aplurality of slits extending along and through the top portion of theapparatus and through which fluid may pass.
 7. The apparatus as claimedin claim 1 further including a plurality of bristles connected to andextending outwards from the inner peripheral portion of the apparatus.8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including a plurality ofbristles connected to and extending outwards from the outer peripheralportion of the apparatus.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 furtherincluding bristles extending downwards from the inner and outerperipheral portions of the apparatus at a front region of the apparatus,an absorbent member positioned between the inner and outer peripheralportions of the apparatus at the front region of the apparatus and aplurality of apertures extending through the top portion of theapparatus at the front region of the apparatus.
 10. A cleaning apparatusfor the base of a toilet, the apparatus comprising: an absorbent memberfor absorbing fluid, the member being biased upwards and which may beselectively lowered to abut a location adjacent to the base of thetoilet.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further including aninner peripheral portion, an outer peripheral portion spaced-aparttherefrom, the absorbent member extending between the inner and outerperipheral portions, and a plurality of bristles extending along andoutwards from the inner and outer peripheral portions.
 12. The apparatusas claimed in claim 10 further including a downwardly-extendingprotrusion about which rearward and front regions of the apparatus maypivot, the absorbent member being part of the front region, and therearward region of the apparatus being shaped to bias the front regionof the apparatus upwards.
 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10further including a female connector, a male connector shaped to beselectively received by the female connector and a resilient memberpositioned to bias the female connector outwards relative to the maleconnector, a first one of the female connector and the male connectorbeing operatively mountable on the floor and a second one of the femaleconnector and the male connector operatively connecting to the absorbentmember.
 14. A cleaning apparatus for the base of a toilet, the apparatushaving a pair of spaced-apart, elongate side members, an arcuate-shapedfront member connecting the side members together, an absorbent memberconnected to the front member, and a pair of downwardly-extendingprotrusions interposed between the side members and the front member,the side members being shaped to bias the absorbent member upwardswhereby applying force to the front member causes the absorbent memberto selectively lower downwards for absorbing fluid.
 15. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 14, the apparatus being u-shaped and is shaped to atleast partially extend about the base of the toilet.
 16. The apparatusas claimed in claim 14 wherein the side members and the front member arehollow and are arcuate-shaped in transverse cross-section.
 17. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 14 further including a plurality ofapertures extending through the front member of the apparatus.
 18. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 14 further including a plurality ofbristles adjacent to the absorbent member for selectively scrubbingregions adjacent to the base of the toilet.